When your cat has smelly stool, you get grossed out. When your cat has diarrhea, you get concerned. When your cat has bloody diarrhea, you get to the Vet and quick! This was the first 8 months of Bounty’s life with me: a gorgeous SPCA rescue that stole my heart 4 years ago. Getting to the bottom of his smelly problem was a journey; but the results are undeniable.
The first step in diagnosis? Parasites. I have never been so excited to collect poop and bring it to the vet hoping they would tell me my cuddle buddy was full of worms. Deworming him would have been a simple process. But I was not so lucky. He stool was clear (we double, then triple checked). The next step for him was blood-work to check for some more sinister things. We dodged those bullets too, but I was left with no answers still.
Next on the schedule was food trials and antibiotics. I learned more about hypoallergenic diets than I ever cared to, and now consider myself something of an expert. After trying 3 diets and 2 antibiotics for several weeks each, we moved on to steroids and yet another new diet. I did not have a lot of hope at this point, and had accepted my fate (and Bounty’s) as being never ending diagnostics, vet bills, and bloody stool.
It may be frustrating to read this; I know writing it makes me anxious! Surprisingly, I did not find the diagnostic process the least bit frustrating. The entire time I was just concerned for my poor little fluff ball, and was constantly focused on how I was going to afford the next test. I had to venture into the world of credit cards and picked up many extra shifts at work. I had to move home with my parents for a time, and cut back on my finances in any way I could. Everyone I knew took these changes as signs I was born to work in the Veterinary Medicine Industry; I was unwilling to give up and accept that this was the best life I could offer Bounty.
That final recommendation did it. For the past 3 years Bounty has been on an ever decreasing dose of steroids combined with a hydrolyzed protein diet. So long as he does not get into mine or his sister’s food, he has virtually no diarrhea and absolutely no blood in his stool. He has gained weight. He loves to eat now where I had to coax him before. He cuddles more, he purrs more, he plays more. I have visible evidence that I was able to improve his quality of life.
This is the reason for veterinary medicine in my eyes; to improve quality of life. I was able to do this for my little guy and have dedicated my life, along with my co-workers, to doing the same for all the other critters we see. Sometimes the road to a better life is long, but it is always, ALWAYS worth it.
Written by Makayla Mosher, Veterinary Assistant
